Stoney Ground Herbs

Beautiful, strong herbs for NZ gardeners and herbalists of all levels

Quietly busy times

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There’s been a bit of a hiatus on my writing posts of late due to having started studying,

I’m doing He Papa Tikanga through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa and I’m loving it. I have no idea what it will lead into but it’s rocking my socks and that’s enough for me.

It’s great to have something to do whilst there’s nothing doing in the garden except navigating mud!

Though that’s not entirely true, I’ve just planted four new fruit trees- again through Edible Garden. This year we got an apricot (Moorpark), a plumcott (a cross between a plum and an apricot), a dwarf peach (Kotare Honey) and a dual pear (Red Bartlett and Doyenne du Comice).

I also have just recently pruned our other fruit trees. If you haven’t done this yet (get onto it!) and are new to the game I highly recommend Kath Irvines book Pruning Fruit Trees, A Beginners Guide. (Click here to get a copy or check it out.) It is bloody brilliant, easy to follow with great illustrations~ reading it is like having a conversation with Kath, where you’re asking all the right questions! I have used it for my ancient apples and plums, my second year apples and my new bare rooted trees, my currants and my espaliered fig.

Kath Irvine's book Pruning Fruit Trees: A Beginners Guide
Worth every penny… or make someone super grateful to you (thank you Glenbo, I am grateful!)

Flash Sale!!

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Is that what they call it?

All my plants are getting too big for their pots and I’m finding places to plant them out..

This is an old photo and not accurate to what I have left..

So get in QUICK before I find homes for them here.

All plants* are $4 each (plus P&P). Here’s what I have left…..

  • Garlic chives

*All plants except White sage

So use that ol’ contact form there to put in your order, remember to give me your address, go to Ordering Your Plants for all the details that you and I need to know. Very limited stock so get in quick!!!

End of Two Eras

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Tomorrow (16th Dec) I’m at the Greytown Country Market; it most likely will be my last market ever (I will still be selling my plants etc online).

  I’m also turning 40 tomorrow.

To be frank with you, whomever you are, things have not gone well for Stoney Ground Herbs since moving here (been here over a year now, ‘here’ being Eketahuna).  I’m quite sad about this.  I know I should be saying things like “I’m moving into another phase of my life” or something else that doesn’t imply that my business is going to shit and I’ve been losing money for two years now.  But today I can’t be arsed, I’m just a bit down about it all.  I really thought that this year things would come together and be amazing.  This is my fifth season and the boat is sailing away from me. 

It’s true that Eke has a different climate and I’m still getting my head and ways around how to garden with crap weather.  But it’s more that I haven’t got a weekly market to go to where people like/appreciate my plants enough for it be worth my while travelling to said imaginary market and paying the stall fee.

Online sales have been VERY slow this year, sure there’s lots of white sage lovers out there but I’m sorry, I don’t want to base my business on one plant, one fickle slow growing plant at that!

I still absolutely love herbs and I love sharing my knowledge but with all of the above I’m another small business going under.  Do I wind this website up?  I’m not sure, I’m not entirely sure that a lot of people read my blog anyway, are you still reading this??  Well done you and thanks.  Should I even publish this?  What if this is just a wee glitch?  What if I’m being too honest or am I not honest enough?  Maybe I’m not trying hard enough.  Or should I just embrace that whole I’m turning forty thing and not give a fuck?

So there we have it.  I’m a gonna go make my birthday cake and maybe I’ll see you at Greytown.

P.S.  It’s not all doom and gloom, honest, I’ll post a much chipper entry before Xmas!

New Herbs and a Secret Herb!

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Hey, how’s it going?

Old English potato masher turned soil patter

I’ve been celebrating sunshine by sowing seeds (albeit still with heatpads and glasshouses!).  How are your garden plans coming along?

Black elder plants for sale, new zealand

Elder, Sambucus nigra

 

I have new herbs available for you this season.. I have Elder, Basil Mint and Pennyroyal, I have Greek Oregano, Rue is back and there’s more hopefully coming in (just waiting for those seeds to pop).

Rue, Ruta graveolens

Rue, Ruta graveolens

Are you building a new herb garden or wanting to fill in some gaps?  Looking for plants for your food forest or some companion plants for the vege patch?  I very well will have the herb for you.  Always pays to ask even if you can’t see it here on my website.

Now.  There’s one herb that I’m not advertising on my website because I’m not actually sure if I’m allowed to sell it… So if you’re reading this and know the plant I’m going to be talking about, you’ll be as excited as I was when I clapped eyes on this plant in a friends garden…

It’s Aconitum napellus, AKA Monkshood, Helmet Flower, Turks-Cap, the Aconite in your homeopath kit..

Aconitum napellus

Aconitum napellus

This is the quintessential plant of the occult.  An infamous herb that the Christians of the 15th century loved to peg onto witches.  “How is the ointment with which you you rub your broomstick made?”  Seriously, this is one of the questions asked in a witches trial, the answer they’re looking for is “Yes sir, I made my flying ointment out of Aconite and Belladonna”.  They (they being the witches of course) also made an ointment out of Aconite and other beastlies that would put witches in a “sabbatical” state in which they could leave their physical body to communicate with the spiritual world.  DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME KIDS!!

From the roots to the seeds this plant is poisonous.  It is also quite gorgeous with tall spikes of purple flowers quite similar to delphiniums.  If you’re at all interested (and I suggest you should be) here is a list of other gorgeous poisonous plants.

Unlike a lot of other herbs, Monkshood does best in rich soil and some shade.  It’s dormant during the winter so make sure you remember where you’ve planted it.  If you do have young children make sure they are well educated of its dangers or err on the side of caution and wait til they’re older and wiser before introducing this plant to your garden.

If you’re interested in this fascinating plant use the contact from on the right near the top to get in touch with me.

Right, I’m getting back out there whilst it’s still sunny; can you believe day light savings is next week already??!!

 

 

Climate Change

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Things have been going a bit tits up here at Stoney Ground Herbs.  I’ve been throwing blame about but have now cottoned on to what actually is the issue.

 

We are now living in a completely different climate that we have ever lived in.  My gardening and Stoney Ground Herbs has always been in temperate New Zealand, coastal and warmer.  Eketahuna is in the bronx of the cool/mountain climate.  I somewhat foolishly haven’t adjusted my growing practices to reflect the differences between coastal and mountainous.  And in actual fact, without some massive tunnel houses a lot of my plants aren’t going to be ready until November.  My mother plants are still adjusting to the change so I have limited stock for some plants and none at all for some of my stock standards…

Very limited stock;

  • Motherwort
  • Southernwood
  • Oregano vulgare
  • Purple sage
  • Soapwort
  • Lemon thyme
  • Vietnamese mint
  • Bergamot, wild
  • French Tarragon
  • Pineapple sage

Plants that won’t be available this year;

  • Echinacea
  • Rose geranium
  • Common sage
  • Nutmeg geranium
  • Creeping thyme
  • Thyme, English winter
  • Summer savory
  • Stevia
  • And I’m thinking I’m going to flag the tomatoes this year as well as the zucchini.

In so saying though I do have new plants available!!

  • Basil mint (I love this herb, the taste is great but mainly because it sounds slightly bedazzling!)
  • St Johns Wort
  • Greek oregano
  • Elder
  • Dill
  • Silver Posy thyme

Give me a bit and I’ll start updating my website accordingly.

Other changes are that courier prices have gone up so I’m having to change my costs accordingly.  Whilst we’re on the subject of couriers they just get too crazy busy during the Xmas period so I will not be sending any plants after the 10th December until the new year.

Here’s to learning curves!

Tinctures Now Available!!

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Specialist hand crafted tinctures made from organic herbs.

A super easy way to take your herbs as a health boost or to facilitate your healing.

Are you familiar with tinctures?  Have you tried tinctures?  Have you been finding what you’re looking for?

For me personally, tinctures are the way forward for taking herbal medicine.  Herbal teas are wonderful and are best for chronic conditions.  But if you’re offering me a hot drink I’d be hoping some good strong coffee is on the menu!  (Black, no sugar if you’re asking..)

Sweet violet tincture

Sweet Violet to be tinctured

Tinctures are highly concentrated liquid herbal extracts which keep for many years.  The chosen herb is macerated (soaked) in alcohol, usually vodka, for two to four weeks, shaken twice daily, strained then taken by the drop or dropper-ful.  Tinctures are good for acute situations and are taken in a small amount of warm water, tea or juice.  It’s a minimal amount of alcohol that you are having, the most would be three teaspoons (for an adult) over the course of a day.  Tinctures can be made with an apple cider vinegar base which keep for a year, more if stored in the fridge.

So I’m telling you all this for good reason, because I’ve started making tinctures using my organic herbs here at Stoney Ground Herbs home base.  I make small batches to ensure quality and strength.  It’s fun and feels like the way forward for SGH.  So far I have available…

  • Calendula, Calendula officinalis ~ Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, lymphatic cleanser and nourisher…. $25
  • Chaste Berry, Agnus castus ~ Hormonal balancing, particularly for women (not recommended if pregnant or breast-feeding)….. $25 (berries are organic but outside sourced)
  • Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium ~ Migraines and headache relief…. $20
  • Nettle, Urtica urens ~ Spring tonic, cleansing, boost and enrich breast milk (definitely recommended if pregnant or breast-feeding)…. $20 (available in non-alcohol form too)
  • Peppermint, Mentha x piperita ~ Wonderful carminative, particularly for digestive issues…. $20 (available in non-alcohol form too)
  • Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis ~ Improve concentration and memory, circulatory stimulant…. $20
  • Sage, Salvia officinalis ~ Drying; mothers milk, heavy periods, night sweats, premature ejaculation, excessive saliva…. $20
  • Sweet Violet, Viola odorata ~ Dispel anger, affinity with the throat, cancer supporter…. $20
  • Yarrow, Achillia millefolium ~ externally for bruises and wounds, internally for indigestion and cramp…. $20

As more plant material becomes available more tinctures will become available.  On my website you can find my tinctures under the “Products” drop down menu.  Or you can be instantly taken there like magic here.

They are also taken to flavour cocktails, either by the drop or spritz.  Take you bartending skills to another level!  (I’m thinking lemon verbena, vietnamese mint…)

If I don’t have something you’re after please ask~

What I have left…

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Kia ora folk, hope you had a lovely Xmas and new years etc etc, what lovely weather eh (up until that storm)…  we were pretty lucky here in Eke and just got a well needed day and night of rain, thoughts went out to everyone else that wasn’t so lucky.

The stock I have left (in regards to plants) is pretty thin off the ground at this time of year, every year I resolve to have more to extend the season, but every year is different to firstly; what strikes and grows successfully and secondly; what is popular, oh and thirdly; what I decide that I want more of in my garden!

So here is a list of what I have left and some new ones that are only ready now, (for those of you that have some spaces to fill in your garden.)  Go here to read about my ordering process..

Previously unlisted…

Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium  $4

pennyroyal plant for sale, nz, mentha pulegium

Pennyroyal can ease wind but is mostly known as an emmenagogue to stimulate the menstrual process and to strengthen uterine contractions.  AVOID IF PREGNANT.  Also makes for a good ground cover around nut trees where other plants may not thrive.

Lemon Verbena (finally have successfully struck cuttings, yippee!!) Aloysia citrdora $6

Lemon verbena plant for sale, aloysia citrodora, nz,

Makes a lovely cuppa!

I have one mint left.. $4

organic mint for sale,

Three lemon balms.. $4

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis

A couple of Peppermints… $5

Six of the wonderful Soapworts.. $5

Soapwort, Saponaria officinalis

Soapwort, Saponaria officinalis

Two Chives.. $4

One Scarlet Bergamot and two Wild Bergamot… $5

Two Lemon Thyme.. $5

Lemon Thyme for sale, nz, Thymus citrodoros Two lemon geranium.. $5

Two Pineapple sage, two Purple sage and three Clary sage… all $5 each

A couple of Feverfews.. $5, oh and some (two) Oreganos (O. vulgare).. $4

So if I’ve got what you’ve been desperately looking for, wahoo!  You’re the best, I love filling that need~ just use the contact form on the side there and we’ll get things rolling. x

 

 

 

 

 

The Eagle has Landed

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We have done it!

It was a helluva move…three kids, two businesses at peak season and one dog and one feral guinea pig meant cars and vans filled to the brim, towing trailers also filled to max capacity, taking load after load over the Tararuas.  It took a whole week.

Oh my lordy I am so grateful that I can say with full conviction and honesty that we will not be moving again for a really really long time!

So Eketahuna is now home, Newman to be totally precise, which is just a little north of Eketahuna..

Let me take you on a wee tour of our whares’ property….

Where the glamorous cardboard is is where a garden is going to be. Front of the property.

 

 

The front stoop

 

This part gets the most sun, so yeah, here it is in black and white! Side of the house

 

Best climbing tree, ever!

Best climbing tree, ever! And it produces plums.

 

Looking forward to those grapes!

 

Back of the BBQ area

 

The mysterious caged area

The mysterious caged area, it’s going to go but at this stage it’s the perfect setting for our wild guinea pig Vampire

 

Ye olde plum tree

Ye olde plum tree

 

These poor old apple trees possibly were planted before the massive macrocarpas behind them that are now blocking the light

These poor old apple trees possibly were planted before the trees behind them that are now blocking the light

Did I mention the house was built in 1910?  Which is pretty old for New Zealand (Kemp House in Keri Keri, which is the oldest house in New Zealand was completed in 1822).

Rustic glasshouse

Rustic glasshouse in the vegie patch, with quite massive walnut tree overhanging it. That’s going..

 

Vegie patch and seedling holding bay!

Vegie patch and seedling holding bay.

 

Another walnut tree in the vegie patch. Consider this gone. And a fig tree, love figs, but not it's invasive roots in the vegetables domain. Will be relocated...I think!

Another walnut tree in the vegie patch. Consider this gone. And a fig tree, love figs, but not it’s invasive roots in the vegetables domain. Will be relocated…I think!

 

So lots to do, wish there more hours in the day with less distractions (ie. the family!!) and just a little bit less rain and more of those hot days we get treated to now and again!!

 

 

 

Unrelenting rain and lame sun

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As winter settles in again (as it bloody well seems) things are not going as planned or as usual this year, I’m not a farmer but this article backs me up for my situation here of lots of rain, too many grey days, not enough sun…

Manawatu Farmers Sick of Unrelenting Rain

So due to circumstances beyond my control I’m not doing tomatoes this year.  I sowed them.  They all germinated.  They grew.  Then they stopped.  Even the ones that I’ve kept in the greenhouse.  I’m pretty freakin’ gutted but it is not within my abilities to create more sunshine, damn me not being a weather witch!

dismal tomato seedlings

Pretty fricken dismal, these seedlings are 5 weeks old

There may be some available later on but certainly none by Labour Weekend unless a miracle happens.  I’m supposed to start the markets next weekend (14/10/17) but I’m going to hold off til Labour Weekend and focus on my daughters birthday.

I’ve grown tomatoes from seed for years and have never had this happen to me, which made me question what I was doing differently/wrong.  A little bit of research though, ok, a lot!  Mainly took me to forums where people have had the same problem and was put down to not enough sunshine at a critical time of their young life (to give them the oomphf to keep growing).  Makes sense; seedlings are trying to find their roots and need the power and energy from the sun to do that, adult established plants have the reserves in their root system to keep on trucking.  And the weather here in Foxton/Manawatu has been quite frankly, shit.  When the sun has come out, it’s been glorious some days but most days it’s not that spring bloom sun, you know the one?  The one that everyone else is probably having!!  And I hope to by gawd that Eketahuna is having!!